Troy Parrott scored a stunning last-minute winner to send the Republic of Ireland through to a World Cup playoff after a dramatic 3-2 victory over Hungary in Budapest.
With Ireland just seconds away from their hopes being over, Parrott completed his hat-trick in the 95th minute to send the Irish into March’s play-offs.
Parrott also scored twice in the magnificent 2-0 win over Portugal on Thursday to revive Heimir Hallgrimsson’s side’s qualifying campaign.
They needed to defeat Hungary to advance, with Portugal beating Armenia 9-1 to wrap up top spot, and also had to come from behind twice after Daniel Lukasc’s early opener and a stunner from Barnabas Vargas.
Ireland responded through Parrott, who scored a first-half penalty before pulling another back in the 80th minute to give the visitors late hope. And then, in the 95th minute, Parrott poked in the winner to spark wild scenes.
Relive Hungary v Ireland below
Hungary v Ireland | World Cup qualifier live
- Last-gasp Parrott goal sends Ireland into World Cup play-offs
- '90+6 GOAL! Parrott is Ireland's hat-trick hero with last-gasp winner [HUN 2-3 IRL]
- '80 GOAL! Parrott double keeps Ireland's hopes alive [HUN 2-2 IRL]
- '37 GOAL! Barnabas Varga scores stunning volley to restore lead [HUN 2-1 IRL]
- '14 GOAL! Troy Parrott slots home ice-cool penalty [HUN 1-1 IRL]
- '3 GOAL! Daniel Lukacs heads home to stun visitors in early opener [HUN 1-0 IRL]
Ireland’s Troy Parrott: I don’t think I’ll ever have a better night in my life
Sunday 16 November 2025 21:16 , Jamie BraidwoodA tearful Troy Parrott saluted the Republic of Ireland’s resilience after his brilliant hat-trick kept their World Cup dream alive in dramatic fashion.
The 23-year-old AZ Alkmaar striker, who scored both goals in Thursday night’s remarkable 2-0 win over Portugal, fired Ireland into second place in Group F and March’s play-offs with a winner deep into stoppage time as they twice fought back from a goal down to beat Hungary 3-2 in Budapest.
Parrott, who had earlier converted a 15th-minute penalty and equalised with 10 minutes of normal time remaining, told RTE: “I’m really, really emotional. They’re tears of joy. Ah, what a night, what a night.”
Ireland’s Troy Parrott: I don’t think I’ll ever have a better night in my life
Last-gasp Troy Parrott hat-trick earns Republic of Ireland a World Cup play-off spot
Sunday 16 November 2025 17:02 , Jamie BraidwoodTroy Parrott scored a superb hat-trick as the Republic of Ireland snatched a World Cup play-off place from Hungary’s grasp with a dramatic 3-2 win in Budapest.
Parrott cancelled out Daniel Lukacs’ early header from the penalty spot and levelled for a second time after Barnabas Varga’s stunning first-half strike.
He then snatched an unlikely victory in the sixth minute of stoppage time on a day when only three points were enough for Heimir Hallgrimsson’s men to keep their dream alive.
Last-gasp Troy Parrott hat-trick earns Republic of Ireland a World Cup play-off spot
When are the World Cup qualifying play-offs and when is the draw?
Sunday 16 November 2025 16:56 , Jamie BraidwoodThe World Cup qualifiers are almost complete but for several countries an anxious wait remains before the full line-up for next summer’s tournament is confirmed.
There will be 16 European teams who advance to March’s play-offs, which will take place after the World Cup group-stage draw is conducted in December. There are then just four more spots in the tournament.
Troy Parrott’s stunning last-minute winner against Hungary sent the Republic of Ireland through to a play-off behind group winners Portugal, with Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland also assured of a play-off spot at the very least.
The play-offs will be played in single-leg knockout matches, with the draw determining the path. The 16 teams will be draw into four sets of four, leaving each nation two wins away from the World Cup.
When are the World Cup qualifying play-offs and when is the draw?
Troy Parrott wins Player of the Match
Sunday 16 November 2025 16:44 , Flo Clifford
Despair and delight in Budapest
Sunday 16 November 2025 16:33 , Flo Clifford
Troy Parrott: 'I will never have a better night in my whole life'
Sunday 16 November 2025 16:28 , Flo CliffordMore from Troy Parrott: “I said against Portugal that this is what dreams are made of, but I think tonight, I will never have a better night in my whole life.
“It is a fairytale. You can't even dream about something like that.
“I have no words to describe the emotions right now.”
Incidentally, Parrott was given a yellow for whipping off his shirt to celebrate, but he’s unlikely to be that bothered, I reckon.
Troy Parrott: 'This is why we love football'
Sunday 16 November 2025 16:23 , Flo CliffordA delighted Troy Parrott tells RTE Sport: “I am really emotional right now. What a night.
“This is why we love football, things like this can happen.
“I love where I am from and it means the world to me.
“My family are here, and this is the first time I have cried in years! I really can't believe it.”
Ireland into World Cup qualifying play-offs
Sunday 16 November 2025 16:19 , Flo CliffordIreland will find out their European play-off opponents on Thursday 20 November, with the draw at Fifa HQ in Zurich, Switzerland.
Ireland into World Cup qualifying play-offs
Sunday 16 November 2025 16:15 , Flo Clifford
FULL-TIME: Hungary 2-3 Ireland
Sunday 16 November 2025 16:12 , Flo CliffordIreland finish second in Group F and therefore advance to a two-legged play-off in March, the final obstacle to their first appearance at a World Cup finals since 2002.
Portugal qualify automatically as group winners.
For Hungary - the better side for the vast majority of that game - it’s heartbreak at the death. Their most recent appearance at a World Cup was in 1986 and they’ll have to wait a while longer to rectify that.
They finish third and out of contention, with Armenia dead last.
FULL-TIME: Hungary 2-3 Ireland
Sunday 16 November 2025 16:08 , Flo CliffordAfter all of that, Hungary were undone at the death, in almost the last kick of the game.
Troy Parrott, after his double against Portugal, is the hero once again.
Speaking of Portugal, they have run out 9-1 winners over Armenia and top the group.
FULL-TIME: Hungary 2-3 Ireland
Sunday 16 November 2025 16:03 , Flo CliffordOh my word. The Republic of Ireland have done it!
Absolute scenes in Budapest as the Ireland bench and staff storm onto the field to celebrate. A hat-trick for Troy Parrott and a spot in the World Cup play-offs.
Many of Hungary’s players are close to tears.
Hungary 2-3 Ireland
Sunday 16 November 2025 16:02 , Flo Clifford90+7 mins: Scales rises highest to win the header and somehow, Parrott gets his toe onto the end of it, just past Dibusz!
Szoboszlai looks absolutely crushed. The stadium, bar the Ireland section, is stunned into silence.
Hungary come again! Szoboszlai chips it in but Kelleher grabs it!
GOAL! Hungary 2-3 Ireland
Sunday 16 November 2025 16:00 , Flo CliffordVarga gets a yellow for delaying the restart.
Kerkez blocks another cross, Ebosele has another throw-in, Azaz crosses in but Hungary are ready in numbers.
Kelleher comes up...
Oh my god, Parrott has a hat-trick! Ireland go absolutely wild!
Hungary 2-2 Ireland
Sunday 16 November 2025 15:58 , Flo Clifford90+4 mins: Ebosele has a throw-in, Kerkez heads out for another.
This time the delivery is better but Hungary win a free-kick as Scales tripped Kerkez leaping for the ball.
Hungary 2-2 Ireland
Sunday 16 November 2025 15:57 , Flo Clifford90+3 mins: Kerkez denies the marauding Ebosele down the right, and that’s a corner.
That gives us a second to breathe and replay that Dibusz save: Kenny was so close to winning it but Dibusz made himself huge, starfishing his limbs, and just about kept it out!
Sallai comes off for Redzic, Nego for Mocsi, as Hungary run down the clock.
SAVE! Hungary 2-2 Ireland
Sunday 16 November 2025 15:55 , Flo Clifford90 mins: Sallai wastes some minutes with some well-timed treatment for theat challenge.
Oh my word, now Dibusz makes a brilliant save from Azaz!
Ebosele crosses in, it’s headed clear!
Five minutes added on. Ireland still believe.
Hungary 2-2 Ireland
Sunday 16 November 2025 15:54 , Flo Clifford89 mins: Manning floats in another cross, Ebosele tries to control but it’s dealt with.
Now Ebosele gets a yellow for bringing down Sallai.
Replays show Otvos make a brilliant clearance from O’Shea’s cross, Dibusz absolutely beaten. Kerkez’s loose pass back nearly cost Hungary then.
CLOSE! Hungary 2-2 Ireland
Sunday 16 November 2025 15:53 , Flo Clifford88 mins: Szoboszlai is in no rush to take a free-kick. Varga heads it goalward but gets too much height on it.
In the stands many of the Hungarian fans are too tense to celebrate just yet. Still time for everything to change...
Manning wins a free-kick off Bolla, deep on the left and some 25 yards out. It’s messy but eventually works its way across to O’Shea as Hungary fail to clear, but the hosts eventually boot it out!
SAVE! Hungary 2-2 Ireland
Sunday 16 November 2025 15:51 , Flo Clifford86 mins: Ebosele counters and controls nicely but Otvos gets there and sends it back to his keeper.
End to end again. Szoboszlai runs onto Sallai’s overlapping pass but his angled strike is palmed away by Kelleher!
Hungary 2-2 Ireland
Sunday 16 November 2025 15:49 , Flo Clifford85 mins: Taylor replaces Cullen, who is on a yellow.
Over in Porto Armenia’s misery is compounded by Joao Neves also completing a hat-trick. The score there is 8-1 to Portugal.
Taylor trips Styles; Szoboszlai has another free-kick, which is worked behind for a seventh Hungarian corner.
Hungary 2-2 Ireland
Sunday 16 November 2025 15:47 , Flo Clifford83 mins: Hungary have looked by far the more dangerous in this half but that is a real lifeline for Ireland.
Szoboszlai urges his men to stay calm and takes two corners in quick succession; the second is recycled by Nego, but eventually Ireland clear.
Ireland still need a goal to advance; Hungary are safe with a draw.
GOAL! Hungary 2-2 Ireland
Sunday 16 November 2025 15:45 , Flo Clifford80 mins: Varga trips over Collins are he pushes for a second.
Ebosele travels rather languidly down the right and Kerkez robs him... but hold on, out of nowhere, Ireland are level!
Azaz lobs the ball over for Parrott, he takes his time controlling it, and launches over Dibusz at close range, the ball bouncing up and into the net!
CLOSE! Hungary 2-1 Ireland
Sunday 16 November 2025 15:43 , Flo Clifford78 mins: Hungary are foiled again, but not by much, this time from a corner. Szoboszlai’s delivery falls to Szalai, who heads in with Sallai at close range to pile pressure on Kelleher, but he makes the save. Kelleher aims for the quick release but Hungary aren’t troubled.
Cullen is next into the book for a challenge.
Bolla’s first touch is an angled strike from the right but Kelleher is equal to ti!
CLOSE! Hungary 2-1 Ireland
Sunday 16 November 2025 15:40 , Flo Clifford75 mins: Szoboszlai tries to release Varga but the goalscorer can’t quite get himself into position; the captain comes again...
Now Styles is let loose, sprinting into the box and cleverly laying it off for Varga, but too many bodies get back and Scales does well to clear. An attempt to counter is foiled by Nego with a crucial block at the sideline.
Now Sallai escapes his defender, lets fly at a tight angle and Kelleher tips over the bar! Brilliant keeping.
Hungary 2-1 Ireland
Sunday 16 November 2025 15:37 , Flo Clifford73 mins: Chance for Ireland! Idah is a livewire down the left, pulling it back for Parrott in the box, but he fluffs his kick and it’s cleared.
Offside anyway.
Hungary 2-1 Ireland
Sunday 16 November 2025 15:36 , Flo Clifford71 mins: Portugal have a seventh in Porto, a hat-trick for Bruno Fernandes.
Hungary will still go through to the play-offs with a draw here. Ireland need to find something special.
The volume has gone up another couple of notches as the Puskas Arena wills its heroes over the line.
Hungary 2-1 Ireland
Sunday 16 November 2025 15:34 , Flo Clifford69 mins: Scales gets a yellow card for sliding in late on Varga.
Szoboszlai takes the resulting free-kick, his lofted cross is lovely but Kelleher isn’t too troubled by the resulting header.
Twenty minutes for Ireland to find two goals.
Hungary 2-1 Ireland
Sunday 16 November 2025 15:32 , Flo Clifford67 mins: Kenny, incidentally, is making his international debut.
End to end stuff now. Collins heads in on the left flank but Nego makes the clearance. Hungary immediately counter but Ireland nab possession; Idah doesn’t get the angle right on his header and launches onto the roof of the net. This has been a pretty breathless affair all round.
Hungary 2-1 Ireland
Sunday 16 November 2025 15:29 , Flo Clifford65 mins: Schafer goes down clutching his boot after a challenge, and that’s his last act as Hungary ring the changes.
Goalscorer Lukacs gets a standing ovation as he is replaced by Styles, with Schafer replaced by Otvos.
Hungary win a free-kick near the half-way line as Varga is shunted out the way rather cynically.
Hungary 2-1 Ireland
Sunday 16 November 2025 15:25 , Flo Clifford61 mins: Another dangerous move by Hungary, Sallai takes his time looking for space but Coleman does well to get in his way, sticking out a foot to block.
Changes for Ireland now: Kenny and Ebosele on for Molumby and Coleman.
OFFSIDE! Hungary 2-1 Ireland
Sunday 16 November 2025 15:22 , Flo Clifford57 mins: Nervy for Ireland as Lukacs runs out of space under pressure from Collins, having been released by Schafer and with the visitors scrambling.
Over in Porto Bruno Fernandes has added a second-half goal to his first-half penalty, and Armenia as it stands are the recipients of a 6-1 drubbing that looks like it can only get worse.
Ireland counter, Azaz floats a long ball in to Idah and Hungary are caught napping; Idah lobs the keeper into the back of the net but the flag goes up!
Hungary 2-1 Ireland
Sunday 16 November 2025 15:20 , Flo Clifford56 mins: Kerkez squares to Szoboszlai, the captain shoots from the edge of the box but Cullen makes the crucial block.
Szoboszlai produces another moment of brilliance, dancing around Parrott and O’Shea on the left and jinking into the box, but his low pass is blocked too.
Hungary 2-1 Ireland
Sunday 16 November 2025 15:18 , Flo Clifford53 mins: That is very unfortunate for Ireland and Ogbene, who has been a real bright spark for the visitors. He can walk off unaided but clearly can’t play on.
He comes off, to be replaced by Idah.
Hungary 2-1 Ireland
Sunday 16 November 2025 15:16 , Flo Clifford52 mins: Ireland win a free-kick very far out, Cullen’s whipped delivery is great though and Hungary have a scare trying to clear it as Collins flicks it on to Parrott, who knocks it down in the area. Nego gets onto the end of it and clears - but not very far, although the move eventually breaks down.
Excellent work from Szoboszlai, floating into the area, but it’s cleared... now down the other end it looks as though Ogbene has pulled a hamstring getting onto a reverse pass from Parrott, and clutches it before he can shoot, Dibusz racing on to smother it.
Hungary 2-1 Ireland
Sunday 16 November 2025 15:11 , Flo Clifford47 mins: Outrage from Ireland immediately as Kerkez goes flying after treading on Coleman’s outstretched foot, and the referee gives Hungary a free-kick on the left, close to the sideline and around 15 yards out.
Ireland clear Szoboszlai’s delivery, however.
SECOND HALF: Hungary 2-1 Ireland
Sunday 16 November 2025 15:10 , Flo CliffordRyan Manning replaces Jake O’Brien for the second half.
Back underway in the Puskas Arena. 45 hugely important minutes coming up.
HALF-TIME: Hungary 2-1 Ireland
Sunday 16 November 2025 15:02 , Flo Clifford45 mins for Ireland to find two goals and avoid conceding any more, otherwise their dreams of making the World Cup are over.
HALF-TIME: Hungary 2-1 Ireland
Sunday 16 November 2025 14:55 , Flo CliffordA frenetic first half comes to an end.
Hungary lead having been the better side for the majority, although Ireland have certainly had their chances and finished strongly.
Hungary lead courtesy of Lukacs’s early goal and Varga’s frankly brilliant strike, sandwiching an ice-cool Parrott penalty after Szalai - now on a yellow and certainly living dangerously - brought down Ogbene after the Irishman had won the ball.
Hungary 2-1 Ireland
Sunday 16 November 2025 14:53 , Flo Clifford45+5 mins: Ireland are finishing this half strongly. O’Brien takes a throw-in which has to be retaken for some shenanigans by Orban, hitting the deck under fairly minimal pressure from O’Shea.
In Porto, Bruno Fernandes has scored a penalty to put Portugal 5-1 up on the stroke of half-time.
He retakes, it’s worked to Azaz on the edge of the box, and he sends it flying over the bar and into the crowd.
CHANCE! Hungary 2-1 Ireland
Sunday 16 November 2025 14:52 , Flo Clifford45+3 mins: Azaz whips in a deep cross but O’Brien lifts the ball over the crossbar! Huge waste of a chance with Parrott lurking.
Hungary 2-1 Ireland
Sunday 16 November 2025 14:50 , Flo Clifford45+1 mins: A Hungary shirt gets a toe to it and clears.
Five additional minutes for this half. Schafer comes again, Kelleher is called into action to claim a cross.
Szalai gives a rueful smile as he’s handed a yellow for shoving Ogbene to the ground. Deeply cynical.
Hungary 2-1 Ireland
Sunday 16 November 2025 14:49 , Flo Clifford45 mins: Schafer and O’Shea are both fine to continue.
Ogbene has been lively and he crosses towards Azaz, but it’s punted away... Hungary are shouting for handball by Cullen.
Coleman wins a free-kick from Sallai, a couple of yards in from the corner flag. Cullen to take...
Hungary 2-1 Ireland
Sunday 16 November 2025 14:46 , Flo Clifford42 mins: That was a lovely cross by Kerkez too.
In Porto, Joao Neves has just scored his second, so unless Portugal suffer an almighty collapse/have every man sent off, they’re topping the group.
Ogbene floats in a cross but Parrott can’t latch onto it; Schafer collides with O’Shea trying to clear, and there’s a break in play for medical staff to attend to them.
GOAL! Hungary 2-1 Ireland
Sunday 16 November 2025 14:41 , Flo Clifford37 mins: That is just sublime from Varga!
Again it comes out of nowhere. A deep cross bounces nicely just on the edge of the box; Varga chests it down and lashes it home on the spin, firing into the top corner without even a glance. His fifth goal in five games. Kelleher had no chance.
Hungary 1-1 Ireland
Sunday 16 November 2025 14:39 , Flo Clifford35 mins: O’Brien clears an attempt by Sallai before it can trouble Kelleher, before Szalai gets a telling off for just clattering into the back of an Ireland player. He throws his arms in the air theatrically, deeming it a great injustice.
Danger now for Ireland as Kelleher leaps for a cross but tangles with O’Shea and can’t quite get his fingertips to it.
O’Shea recovers to thump it clear before Szoboszlai, bearing down on Kelleher, can get himself in position to shoot.
Hungary 1-1 Ireland
Sunday 16 November 2025 14:34 , Flo Clifford31 mins: Elsewhere, a quickfire double from Gonçalo Ramos and João Neves means Portugal are 3-1 up against Armenia.
SAVE! Hungary 1-1 Ireland
Sunday 16 November 2025 14:32 , Flo Clifford28 mins: Oh my word, out of nowhere Hungary burst into life again after a less frenetic few minutes, and Kelleher makes an absolutely superb block!
Lukacs fires in a glorious cross from the right, Sallai is in tap-in range but the Brentford keeper whips out an arm to block. Living dangerously, Ireland at the moment.
Hungary 1-1 Ireland
Sunday 16 November 2025 14:27 , Flo Clifford24 mins: Szalai comes a cropper tangling with Ogbene again, who he fouled earlier for the penalty. He escapes a caution this time.
O’Brien gets in Varga’s way and Hungary have a free-kick, quite far out but fairly central... there are a lot of bodies in the way of Szoboszlai’s low strike and it’s dealt with easily.
Hungary 1-1 Ireland
Sunday 16 November 2025 14:23 , Flo Clifford20 mins: Molumby gets the better of Szoboszlai but Hungary win it back, Sallai fires a nice long ball forward onto Varga and the hosts come again.
Hungarian prime minister Viktor Orban is in attendance today, such is the importance of this encounter.
Over in Porto, Armenia have dragged one back against Portugal! Eduard Spertsyan hasn’t made himself popular with the Irish but he’s on his way to redeeming himself now.
Hungary 1-1 Ireland
Sunday 16 November 2025 14:19 , Flo Clifford15 mins: Parrott’s third goal in four matches. Ice cool. The 3,000 Irish fans in the Puskas Arena go wild.
GOAL! Hungary 1-1 Ireland
Sunday 16 November 2025 14:18 , Flo Clifford14 mins: Parrott stands over the ball. The jeering and whistling in here is deafening.
Low and fired into the bottom corner!
PENALTY! Hungary 1-0 Ireland
Sunday 16 November 2025 14:16 , Flo Clifford13 mins: Referee Espen Eskas is told to head to the monitor!
Ah, Ogbene is first challenged by Kerkez, then Szalai, rushing behind, nicks his foot ever so slightly after the Irishman gets the ball.
It’s deemed a penalty!
Hungary 1-0 Ireland
Sunday 16 November 2025 14:15 , Flo Clifford12 mins: Back down the other end and Kerkez and Ogbene are locked together on the edge of the box, storming towards goal.
The Irishman goes down... Azaz leads a protest for a penalty. It’s being considered...
Hungary 1-0 Ireland
Sunday 16 November 2025 14:14 , Flo Clifford11 mins: Having said that, Parrott jinks away nicely from Szoboszlai down the left channel, the Liverpool man can’t get there and Ireland have a first corner of their own.
It’s kept alive, Szoboszlai challenges Azaz rather robustly in the air for it, the referee has no qualms with that. Eventually it’s worked away, but Coleman keeps Ireland in posession.
Hungary 1-0 Ireland
Sunday 16 November 2025 14:12 , Flo Clifford9 mins: Kerkez can’t quite run onto a long ball and Ireland have a tiny bit of breathing room.
Coleman takes a throw-in and the visitors have a spell of possession, but they look a bit short of ideas.
Hungary 1-0 Ireland
Sunday 16 November 2025 14:10 , Flo CliffordOver in Porto, Renato Veiga has put Portugal ahead against Armenia.
VAR CHECK: Hungary 1-0 Ireland
Sunday 16 November 2025 14:08 , Flo Clifford4 mins: Well, that’s an emphatic start by Hungary. Lukacs wheels away to celebrate with Szoboszlai, but there’s a check for offside...
The goal stands!
GOAL! Hungary 1-0 Ireland
Sunday 16 November 2025 14:07 , Flo Clifford4 mins: Sallai - who was sent off in the reverse fixture - is caught late by Dara O'Shea and Hungary have an early free-kick.
Szoboszlai’s delivery is excellent; it bounces off Coleman for a corner. The second delivery is not so good but is not behind for another set-piece...
There’s a bit of pushing and shoving and a warning word from the referee.
Szoboszlai plays it short, it’s whipped into the box by Kerkez and Lukacs heads it home!
KICK-OFF: Hungary vs Ireland
Sunday 16 November 2025 14:04 , Flo CliffordHere we go!
Hungary vs Ireland
Sunday 16 November 2025 14:02 , Flo CliffordThe atmosphere in here is tense, the Hungarian fans bouncing up and down and already at full volume. It’s all to play for, quite literally.
The players walk out a little behind schedule to an absolute wall of noise.
After a minute’s silence for former Hungary boss Imre Jenei, who recently passed away, it’s time for kickoff.
Hungary vs Ireland
Sunday 16 November 2025 13:58 , Flo CliffordMoments to go in this all-important clash at the Puskás Aréna.
Portugal v Armenia kicks off simultaneously.
Reminder of team news and how to watch
Sunday 16 November 2025 13:55 , Flo CliffordHungary XI: Dibusz, Nego, Orban, Attila Szalai, Kerkez, Szoboszlai, Schafer, Lukacs, Alex Toth, Sallai, Varga.
Rep of Ireland XI: Kelleher, O'Brien, Collins, O'Shea, Coleman, Cullen, Molumby, Scales, Ogbene, Azaz, Parrott.
- It will be shown live on Amazon Prime Video pay-per-view, costing £2.49 via Prime Video
Ireland's destiny in their hands - Heimir Halgrimsson
Sunday 16 November 2025 13:50 , Flo CliffordHeimir Halgrimsson had this to say when asked how Ireland would prepare for today’s crunch clash.
“First of all, focusing after a good game, building on that one, just realising what it was that created that win and trying to reproduce that.
“[We need to] stop looking at or talking about what happened two days ago. To focus on the next task is now the most important thing.
“We said we would always take it if we go to the final match and we still have a chance and everything is in our hands. We grab it. We love the fact that it's in our hands now.”
Ireland boss wonders if he got in Cristiano Ronaldo’s head after red-card strop
Sunday 16 November 2025 13:45 , Flo CliffordIreland manager Heimir Halgrimsson has speculated whether he got in Cristiano Ronaldo’s head after the Portugal captained was sent off in a spectacular loss of composure during their World Cup qualifier on Thursday night.
"He complimented me for putting pressure on the referee," said Hallgrimsson. "It was his action on the pitch that cost him the red card. It had nothing to do with me - unless I got into his head."
Asked if he spoke to Ronaldo after the game, Hallgrimsson added: "No, I think we spoke enough when he came off.
"There was nothing to speak about. This was just a moment of a little silliness from him, I would say."
Ireland boss wonders if he got in Cristiano Ronaldo’s head after red-card strop
Cristiano Ronaldo mocked after almighty red-card tantrum in Ireland defeat
Sunday 16 November 2025 13:35 , Flo CliffordPortugal striker Cristiano Ronaldo was widely mocked by home fans after being sent off for elbowing Dara O'Shea in the Selecao’s 2-0 loss to the Republic of Ireland.
Ronaldo threw an elbow towards O’Shea while the two tussled in the Ireland box and he was originally given a yellow card for the challenge, before a VAR review changed the decision and referee Glenn Nyberg sent off the 40-year-old in the 61st minute.
Ronaldo had promised to behave ahead of the match, while Ireland manager Heimir Halgrimsson said that “it should be the officials doing the refereeing” after he felt that Ronaldo influenced the officials in Ireland’s 1-0 loss in October.
But Ronaldo’s pre-match demeanour soon changed as his side went two goals down thanks to a brace from AZ Alkmaar striker Troy Parrott, with the Portuguese seen gesturing towards Ireland centre-back Nathan Collins moments before being sent off.
Cristiano Ronaldo mocked after almighty red-card strop in Ireland defeat
Who can qualify for the World Cup this week?
Sunday 16 November 2025 13:25 , Jamie BraidwoodWorld Cup qualifying is hurtling towards a conclusion with some of the final places ahead of the tournament in the United States, Canada and Mexico up for grabs over the coming days.
So far, 30 teams have booked their places in what has already been a historic campaign for three first-time qualifiers, with Jordan, Uzbekistan and the Cape Verde islands all through to the 48-team finals.
England, France and Croatia are the only European teams to have qualified so far but the other nine group winners will be gradually confirmed in the next few days as the first round of qualifying finally concludes.
As it stands in Group F
Sunday 16 November 2025 13:15 , Flo CliffordPortugal need only one point against lowly Armenia, who are rock bottom, to qualify for the World Cup.
Ireland sit one point behind second-placed Hungary, with victory for either sealing the play-off spot.
Hungary v Ireland
Sunday 16 November 2025 13:10 , Flo Clifford
How to watch Hungary vs Ireland
Sunday 16 November 2025 13:05 , Flo CliffordThe match will kick-off at 2pm GMT on Sunday 16 November in Budapest.
How can I watch it?
It will be shown live on Amazon Prime Video pay-per-view, costing £2.49 via Prime Video. Coverage starts 10 minutes before kick-off.
Team news - Ireland
Sunday 16 November 2025 12:53 , Flo CliffordRep of Ireland XI: Kelleher, O'Brien, Collins, O'Shea, Coleman, Cullen, Molumby, Scales, Ogbene, Azaz, Parrott.
Subs: Bazunu, Travers, Kenny, Idah, Dunne, Coventry, Taylor, Egan, Manning, McGrath, Johnston, Ebosele.
Team news - Hungary
Sunday 16 November 2025 12:49 , Flo CliffordHungary XI: Dibusz, Nego, Orban, Attila Szalai, Kerkez, Szoboszlai, Schafer, Lukacs, Alex Toth, Sallai, Varga.
Subs: Demjen, Szappanos, Mocsi, Balogh, Otvos, Vitalis, Gruber, Bolla, Marton Dardai, Styles, Zsolt Nagy, Redzic.
Hungary vs Ireland
Sunday 16 November 2025 12:43 , Flo CliffordThe Republic of Ireland bid to keep their World Cup hopes alive as they face Hungary in a straight shoot-out for a play-off place.
A magnificent 2-0 win over Portugal on Thursday night gives Ireland a fighting chance ahead of the group decider.
Portugal are still in control of the group and face Armenia at home - without the suspended Cristiano Ronaldo - knowing a win would confirm their place at next summer’s tournament.
But Hungary are only a point ahead of Ireland, so a win for the visitors would be enough to secure a place in March’s play-offs.
Good afternoon
Sunday 16 November 2025 12:33 , Flo CliffordHello and welcome to Hungary v Ireland, a crucial encounter in World Cup qualifying.
With just one point between the two sides it’s a straight shoot-out for a play-off spot.
Follow all the action right here.
